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Through a major step to bolster its long-term defense, Ukraine has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire as many as 100 Rafale fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, air defence systems and additional key equipment from France. The agreement was formalized by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée residence. Zelenskyy described the arrangement as “a historic deal.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Relatives Cut Off Communication

Several families of Ukrainian children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, stating that all contact has been cut off. During a rare press event in Paris, a legal guardian, who cares for two minors removed after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, stated that Russian authorities are ignoring all requests to facilitate the minors' repatriation.

Drone Attack Hits Turkish-Flagged Vessel in Odesa

A drone struck a Turkey-registered tanker and set it ablaze in southern Ukraine's Odesa area, officials said. This event occurred just one day after the Ukrainian president signed a agreement to import American LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was hit while offloading liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, as stated by Turkey's maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was hurt.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Villages After Drone Attack

Romanian authorities said they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier after the drone attack on the MT Orinda. Since invading Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has consistently attacked Ukraine's ports in the Danube area, triggering alerts in adjacent the country.

US Leader Donald Trump Open to Approve Russia Penalties Bill

US president Trump is prepared to approve legislation to impose penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps final decision-making authority over these measures, a senior White House official said. The U.S. president informed journalists recently that it was “OK with me” that GOP members were working on legislation to apply restrictions on countries doing business with Moscow over its inability to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

Poland's Leader Describes Railway Explosion an “Never-Before-Seen Act of Sabotage”

Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an explosion along a part of rail track used for shipments to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that might have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a announcement from legal authorities indicating that an investigation had been initiated “concerning actions of sabotage of a terror-related kind […] carried out on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency against the nation of the country.”

China Premier Expresses Willingness to Expand Cooperation with Russia

China is prepared to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li said during a meeting with Russia's leader Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian capital. Li told Mishustin that China welcomes more farm and food goods from the nation, as per a state-run news agency. China also hopes that Moscow will make it easier for companies from China to put money and operate there, the source mentioned. The Russian leader told his counterpart that the partnership between the two sides has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.